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The Rams twice lead through Johnny Russell (1-0) and Mason Bennett (2-1), and with 17 minutes of normal time remaining it was Derby who were heading for a third-round meeting with Tottenham Hotspur at the national stadium, where Spurs are playing their home games this season while White Hart Lane is being redeveloped.

But Barnsley had other ideas, and they stormed back to score twice in a spirited 16-minute spell to win.

Among the many changes to the team saw a first appearance in the first team in 16 months for George Thorne since he broke his leg playing against Ipswich Town in the final league fixture of the 2015-16 season. He completed the 90 minutes.

Midfielder George Thorne was a second-half substitute as Derby County beat Middlesbrough 3-0 at the Riverside (Image: Andy Clarke)

Alongside him in central midfield in a 4-2-3-1 formation was 16-year-old first-year scholar Max Bird, who made his senior debut. Callum Guy came on for his debut after 81 minutes.

A trip to take on Bristol City at Ashton Gate followed and Rowett reverted to the XI that had dismantled Hull.

Vydra's penalty had the Rams ahead at the break before City stormed back in the second half to win 4-1.

Rowett used the word 'embarrassed' afterwards, and four goals shipped in one half is embarrassing.

Derby County manager Gary Rowett shouts instructions to his Rams side during the Championship game at Bristol City's Ashton Gate. (Image: Andy Clarke)

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Derby continued to be consistently inconsistent. A Jekyll and Hyde character, but more scary because you could never be sure what is going to be delivered each time they took to the pitch. Up one minute, down the next, Derby sat 15th and the fans were infuriated.

Looking back, this defeat proved to be something of a turning point.

Free agent Joe Ledley was signed on a short-term deal and hard-earned points from draws against Birmingham City, Brentford - in which Ledley made his debut and scored - and Cardiff City acted as green shoots of recovery.